FROM:
Community Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Co-Sponsorship Application Cycle One (1) FY 2026/2027
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Review and provide the City Council with recommendations regarding sixteen (16) Co-Sponsorship Applications for the 2026/2027 fiscal year (July 2026 through June 2027) totaling the amount of $71,235.00.
The original Co-Sponsorship budget was created for the 2013-14 Fiscal Year. This budget has never seen an increase. The Parks, Community and Human Services Commission recommends the City Council increase the Co-Sponsorship program budget to $100,000 annually to more realistically reflect the internal costs of these community events.
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DISCUSSION:
The current Co-Sponsorship procedure, as approved by the Parks, Community and Human Services Commission and City Council, requires organizations to submit all Co-Sponsorship requests for activities taking place during the next fiscal year, between February 1 and February 28 (cycle one) or between September 1 and September 30 (cycle two).
All organizations in consideration for Co-Sponsorship must meet all Co-Sponsorship criteria (Attachment A - Co-Sponsorship Policy), which includes the following items
• Proof of non-profit status (501c3) or proof that the event is not for profit
• Organizations must be based in the incorporated boundaries of the City of Fontana
• Event must benefit and be open, free of charge, to Fontana residents
• Organization must adhere to the Co-Sponsorship tier rating
A brief description of individual applications is provided (Attachment B - Co-Sponsorship Application Descriptions).
Fifteen (15) eligible applications were received during the February 2026 requested period, (13) requesting assistance with community events and (2) facility use requests. (Attachment C - organizations applying for Co-Sponsorship and Attachment D - Co-Sponsorship in-kind cost breakdown).
Tier Levels:
Tier One:
The organization provides a minimum of eighty percent (80%) of program resources and funding.
Tier Two:
The organization provides a minimum of seventy percent (70%) of program resources and funding.
Tier Three:
The organization provides a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of program resources and funding.
Although all organizations requesting funding must provide a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of program funding, tier funding levels are not applicable to organizations requesting the use of facilities during regular center hours.
Funding for Co-Sponsorships in the amount of $37,500.00 is approved by the City Council in the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget. Requested funding during the February application period totaled $71,235.00, providing a balance in the funding allocation of -$33,735.00 for the remainder of FY 2026/2027 operating budget.
Staff recommends the Commission approach the review of these applications as outlined below:
• Review and evaluate the requesting applications.
• Approve or deny each requesting application and/or in-kind city subsidy outlined per application.
• Prioritize them from highest to lowest priority to best inform the City Council, as this item will be forwarded for their consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for Co-Sponsorships in the amount of $37,500.00 has been approved by City Council and is included in the adopted FY 2026/2027 operating budget. Requested funding during the February application period totaled $71,235.00, leaving an available balance of -$33,735.00.
The Co-Sponsorship budget does not represent actual monetary funds; instead, it measures the value of the in-kind services requested by the organizations, such as equipment, street closures, staffing, and facility rental.
The significant rise in in-kind services can be attributed to a change in how we calculate full-time staff usage. The City will now use the “Fully Burdened Hourly Rate Calculation” to account for the personnel in the Public Works and Police departments. In the past, only an “Hourly Overtime” estimate was utilized.
This is Cycle 1 of the Co-Sponsorship 2026-27 Fiscal Year. The Cycle 2 application period will commence in September. Considering the traditional applicants for Cycle 2, the estimated cost will be $39,000. An additional $39,000 will result in a negative balance of -$72,735.
The budget deficit does not impact other programs, services, or resources.
MOTION:
Approve Parks, Community, and Human Services Commission recommendation.